Flag Day

Flag Day, June 14th

Our American Symbol of Perseverance and Valor
President George W. Bush has proclaimed this week as National Flag Week with June 14 as National Flag Day.

Why celebrate in June when our nation's birthday is celebrated on July 4th?

America's flag, our flag, the symbol of our great country, was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution passed described our flag with the following words; "White signifies purity and innocence; red hardiness and valor; blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and Justice".

While the flag has undergone changes in the number of stars, which represent our nation's states, the sentiment remains the same as in 1914 when Franklin Lane, Secretary of the Interior, announced the flag spoke these words: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

How did the observance of National Flag Day come to be? There is debate over this, but the general accepted theory is it was first introduced by a school teacher in Wisconsin. In 1885, Bernard J Cigrand chose the adoption date of our flag as the date to celebrate with the school children. Cigrand moved to Chicago in 1886 and continued to heavily promote this idea of Flag Day. He published an article entitled "The Fourteenth of June" in the Chicago Argus Newspaper. Cigrand was also a prolific author on Americans in history.

The commonwealth of Pennsylvania also was instrumental in celebrating our Flag's Birthday. In 1888, William Kerr of Allegheny County, established the American Flag Day of Western PA Association and served as its national chairman for 50 years. By the early 1890s, several societies and states were involved with celebrating June 14. Philadelphia saw Flag Day Exercises in 1893 by school children.

Meanwhile, Cigrand was instrumental in organizing the American Flag Day Association in Illinois for the purpose of promoting Flag Day. In 1894, Chicago saw more than 300,000 children participating in the day's events.

1916 was the year President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for June 14 as Flag Day. In 1937, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was the only state to declare it a state holiday. It wasn't until 1949 that Congress established Flag Day. William Kerr had the honor of being at President Truman's side for the signing of the act.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution reminds you to fly your flag on June 14. Regent Betty Harrah remarked, "Our flag is a symbol of all our freedoms and serves as a reminder of our Nation's past accomplishments. Flag day is a way to honor "Old Glory" in all capacities through out our country and to celebrate our heritage in public places with ceremonies."

Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
The American Flag represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of our Nation's ideals since the earliest days of our Nation. Wherever it flies, we are reminded of America's unity and in the great cause of liberty and justice for all.

Two hundred and thirty years ago, the Second Continental Congress officially made the Stars and Stripes the symbol of America. The Founders declared that the 13 stars gracing the original flag represented "a new constellation," just as America embodied new hope and new light for mankind. Today, our flag continues to convey the bold spirit of a proud and determined Nation.

Americans have long flown our flag as a sign of patriotism and gratitude for the blessings of liberty. We also pledge allegiance to the flag as an expression of loyalty to our country and to the belief in the American creed of freedom and justice. By displaying and showing respect for the flag, we honor the ideals upon which our democracy rests and show appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Flying the flag can also be an expression of thanks for the men and women who have served and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms -- from the early patriots of the Continental Army to the courageous Americans in uniform who are defending those freedoms around the world today.

During Flag Day and National Flag Week, we honor Old Glory and reflect on the foundations of our freedom. As citizens of this great Nation, we are proud of our heritage, grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and calling upon all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2007, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 10, 2007, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable places. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH